1. To undertake a beam trawl survey in the southern North Sea and eastern Channel as part of an ICES co-ordinated research programme.
2. To obtain fisheries independent data on the distribution and abundance of commercial flatfish species.
3. To collect biological data, including maturity and weight at age, of commercial species.
4. To derive age compositions of commercial flatfish, whilst at sea, for use in stock assessment.
5. To carry out sampling to satisfy the requirements of the EU data regulations.
6. To identify the epibenthos by-catch taken in the 4-metre beam trawl and to quantify 12 species as agreed at the Beam Trawl Working Group. Additional aims:
7. To carry out detailed survey of sole distribution in selected areas of VIId and IVc.
8. To tag and release any healthy elasmobranchs caught.
9. To release tidal tracking tags for Julian Metcalf at Prime station 78 and as far north and as central as is possible in the North Sea.
10. To undertake GSI sampling of gonads in line with the SOPs supplied by Peter Whittames.
11. To continue taking photographs of different fish species to extend the Cefas photo ID library.

Narrative

The SIC and 3 scientific staff joined the ENDEAVOUR on the evening of the 17th July to complete the setting up of the fish room started earlier in the day by the Lowestoft based scientists. In the morning, all scientists were aboard by 0800h and the vessel sailed from Lowestoft docks at 1000h. Fishing commenced in the North Sea just south of Lowestoft on station Prime 105 at approximately 1230 on the 18th July. The ship then proceeded southwards and fished a total of 7 fishing tows in the North Sea (IVc) before sailing overnight to station Prime 80 (just inside Area IVc) to begin the eastern stations in Area VIId. 12 valid fishing stations were completed on 19th July. One fishing tow was moved slightly because of static gear on the towline but this was